GREAT LAKES, USA – Chicago’s
Dr. Donald Liu has been posthumously selected as a "Top 10
Finalist" for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance's annual "Lifesaver
of the Year" award. (Vote here: http://a.pgtb.me/6qcjXK).

On August 5,
2012, Liu, 50, a pediatric surgeon at the University of Chicago Comer
Children's Hospital, was with his family on a weekend getaway when he noticed
two 12 year-old children struggling in the heavy surf of Lake Michigan’s
dangerous currents.

He swam out in
an attempt to save them both, but he got caught in the currents as the children
made it to shore. Unfortunately Liu was
swept away, and became the 69th person
to drown in the Great Lakes in 2012.

Dr. Jeffrey
Matthews, chairman of surgery at the University of Chicago was quoted in the
Medias saying, “We know given the same set of circumstances he would do it
again. He would do anything for
children. It’s what he did every day. He really died a hero.”

“Don Liu was
full of life and energy and excitement for his specialty, a devoted doctor, and
a family man,” added Matthews. “He was all about the children, and his
enthusiasm inspired colleagues and the whole staff at Comer Children's
Hospital. That he died the way he lived, while saving children, is somehow
consistent and heart-wrenching at the same time.”

This Lifesaver
of the Year Award is an opportunity for Dr. Liu to be honored for his
lifesaving actions that day. The Award
is also an opportunity for him to continue saving lives through drowning
awareness and water safety initiatives, especially on the Great Lakes.

To date in
2012, 99 people have drowned in the Great Lakes and since 2010, 260 people have
drowned. Each and every one of these
drownings also has a tragic impact on family, friends, first responders, and
bystanders at the beach. Great Lakes
water safety awareness and education could possibly reduce these numbers to
zero.

3. Approve the Voting
AP (The AP ensures all participants are counted fairly. For instance, each
Facebook fan is allowed to vote once per day (every 24 hours). The software
must be able to access your profile information to know who is eligible to
vote.)

4. Then click the box
next to the photo of Dr. Liu to cast your VOTE!

NOTE: You may vote once per 24-hour period. Every vote every
day counts till Dec 31.

The winner crowned “Lifesaver
of the Year” (or representatives of the winner) receives an all-expense paid
trip for two to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 12th Annual National Drowning
Prevention Symposium from March 13-15, 2013. Hotel, airfare and conference fees
are covered in the prize package.

99
Great Lakes drownings/ 260 since 2010

GREAT LAKES,
USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces its current
drowning statistics. There have been 99 drownings on the Great Lakes in
2012. Overall there have been 260 drownings on the Great Lakes since 2010
(87 drownings in 2011; 74 drownings in 2010).

“The Great Lakes are now at a
"pandemic-like" level. The number of fatalities should prompt
communities to completely rethink beach and water safety,” said Dave Benjamin,
executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.

Benjamin said
the chief rule for swimming in the Great Lakes is respect for the water's
power. He encourages swimmers to follow the Michigan Sea Grant's "Flip,
Float, and Follow" strategy when caught in a dangerous
current.

"As long
as you are floating, you are alive. As long as you are struggling, you are
drowning. Also, now that we are into the
fall/winter season, everyone at the beach should know the 1-10-1
Rule of Hypothermia.”

SAFETY TIPS – What everyone should know before they put
their toes on the beach:

--When in doubt, don’t go out!

--Know the 1-10-1 Rule of
Hypothermia (especially in fall, winter, and spring)